The West African Balafon

The balafon is a gourd-resonated xylophone from West Africa, dated to at least the 12th century CE.

Keys are tuned by shaving wood from the underside. Wood is removed to change the pitch.

The Sosso Bala balafon is reputed to be that old.

Acoustic engineering, courtesy of local spiders.

In some cultures the balafon is sacred—only trained religious caste members play it at ritual events after purification.

Fourteenth-century reviews were verbal.

Maninka musicians adapt balafon playing style to the guitar. The sound now echoes through western instruments.

Mamadou Diabaté won the Grand Prix at the Festival Triangle du Balafon in Mali in 2012.